July 2, 2013UncategorizedComments Off on Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust Head to Nationals

Press Release – TrustPower

Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust has won the Supreme Award at the 2013 TrustPower Waitaki District Community Awards. The Awards were announced and presented tonight Tuesday 2 July at a function at the Oamaru Opera House. For winning the Supreme Award, Oamaru …

Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust Head to Nationals

Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust has won the Supreme Award at the 2013 TrustPower Waitaki District Community Awards.

The Awards were announced and presented tonight Tuesday 2 July at a function at the Oamaru Opera House.

For winning the Supreme Award, Oamaru Whitestone Civic received a framed certificate, a trophy and $1,500 prize money. Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust now has the opportunity to represent the district at the 2013 TrustPower National Community Awards, which are being held in Invercargill and Southland region in March 2014.

In total, TrustPower has given away over $6,000 to various community groups through tonight’s Awards.

Waitaki District Mayor Alex Familton says the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust, for the last two decades, has established a historical precinct of national importance.

“Our community volunteers have invested thousands of hours to preserve and energise Oamaru’s Victorian Precinct. It is an important hub for the heritage focus of our district and is an outstanding and unique example of our heritage and history. This work and commitment has been recognised by many others including the Minister of Culture and Heritage who commented on his visit last year that the Waitaki District has the best range of heritage buildings in New Zealand,” says Mayor Familton.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Jess Somerville agrees that what the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust has recreated has helped put Oamaru on the map.

“From the Victorian Ambassadors assisting tourists to those that help create, mend and hire out the extensive collection of Victorian outfits to the hundreds who help ensure the Victorian Fete is such a success; volunteers are essential to the success of this story,” says Miss Somerville.

“Also I wish to congratulate all of this year’s nominees. One record hundred and sixteen entries is truly impressive and it sends a strong message about how supportive this community is, and prepared they are to get stuck in and roll up their sleeves,” says Miss Somerville.

Other winners at tonight’s TrustPower Waitaki District Community Awards were: